one more view to show window

How about trying the table turned 90 degrees as it appears longer the other direction. If you put a bench under the window and snugged the table up to the bench it will give you more room. You could even build a bench for the wall across from the window as in the third photo.


o https://www.houzz.com/photos/jane-lockhart-interior-design-2010-award-winning-kitchen-reno-contemporary-dining-room-toronto-phvw-vp~1121466

Can you find another use for the table in another room. The fact that it is a drop side will make adding a sideboard have the room look crowded and heavy.

Either turn the table or purchase a small round one

Since the family, when we get together, all fit around the table, I can’t justify getting rid of it or relegating it to the basement. We’ll just have to enjoy our meals without a sideboard . Thank you all, however, for your suggestions and comments.

I think a corner cabinet would be fine, but then you can't put the chair there. A little "jiggering" required. :) Would lower the smaller painting meantime -- maybe align bottoms rather than tops...

Yes, turn the table from the way it is in your original post and keep the leaves extended. It's a beautiful table, but looks odd with the leaves down. Unfortunately, it looks like there's not enough room for a sideboard. BTW, why does only one of the chairs have arms? That seems unbalanced to me. Can you either take the arms off, or add arms to one of the other chairs?

Here's a thought, recover those chairs, sooooo easy. Find a more updated print & color.

I say turn the table 90 degrees and extend the sides - would love to see a picture with both sides extended. I have a narrow table that I use as a sideboard in our dining room, which might be an idea for you but I can't tell if there is room for that.

Beautiful table! Would it be possible to install some open shelves to display your china? Of course, this a different style than your room, but maybe something along these lines?

KP,
You have a beautiful table and set of chairs! Don't you dare relegate any of it to the basement!! I agree with turning the table. It will make the whole room flow more naturally, thus it will "feel" larger...the whole chi thing... Get some cheerful fabric & redo the chairs. Sample fabric swatches aren't that expensive and it's really easy to do. If I can do it, anyone can do it, trust me!
Shelves sound good, that way you can display favorite pieces of your china. Also, put some Christmas ornaments/seasonal items in that fruit bowl to brighten up the table top.
Again, you have a beautiful piece of history sitting there! Enjoy it!

I inherited the same table. I already have a DR table but love it so much that It is now a night table/vanity.

I commented about painting the ceiling which was not your question, but hope that's ok. Because the wall/ceiling feature looks interesting I thought you could take advantage of that and paint ceiling a color that blends but ...

A thin wall hutch. You could always cut the sides of the table down. Or a round table with corner hutch.

I think you could add a corner cabinet. The rules are to have room to pull out chairs and be able to walk around table easily, and nobody's chair will be backing up into a corner. I also think you could add a couple of curio type cabinets to each side of the window as long as they aren't too deep.
http://houzz.com/photos/6221818

Gorgeous table and chairs. Like the idea of covering the seats. You have the best type of table for a small room. How many people do you usually seat at the table? Do you sometimes use only one leaf open? If so, you should have some room for a narrow shelf attached to one wall to be used as a serving area. Good luck and keep the set, they're fabulous. I also like your light fixture. Yes upholstered chairs (small) such as parson chairs would be nice with the set.

A corner cabinet would work. Rules, as laws, can be rewritten.

Yes, I am definitely reupholstering the chairs. As for why there are 3 armless and one with arms? Somehow, back in the day, a chair or 2 or more were lost, or damaged. No one alive has the story behind it. If I were to go with a corner cabinet, I was thinking about something like the one picture. It would fit in the corner to the right of the window with room to spare. There's a pony wall to the left of the window. I would seriously also consider, however, the idea of open shelves. I've been shopping and measuring hutches wherever I go and there aren't too many that are narrow enough for the room yet wide enough to put plates in or on top. I may also try the table turned parallel to the window for a while and see if we like it that way. Also checking out parsons chairs to inject some color and/or pattern into the room. Thank you for all the interesting suggestions

That's a lovely cupboard. Have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.

I really like your cosy dining room.
Would you consider installing glass or open shelving over the pony walls to display your china? Using glass would keep the 'open' look to the space and yet it's the perfect space to house and display your special pieces.

I love the table, and drop leafs are so practical. I'd get a corner hutch. They hold a ton, and you can get a updated one that's good for a young couple. Maybe paint it too. Recover the chairs with a great fabric. You can probably do it yourself.

I am not usually great with suggestions, but we once lived in a house with a plate rail that went along every wall, shelves might also work.

turn the table the other direction and add a built in window seat for extra seating - we have a bench in our kitchen and it's always fun to see who wants to see on it instead of a chair.

Beautiful table and chairs! How nice your grandparents handed them down to you.

The entrance to your dining room has half walls. Take advantage of that wasted space and have cabinets built on the top and have front and back cabinet doors in glass instead of solid like these in the first picture.You could take them all the way to the ceiling. You would have plenty of light for displaying your china and make a lovely entrance into the room at the same time.

2 Out of the box ideas:

1. You could purchase upper kitchen cabinets to make a hutch with as they are not too deep and get a handyman to tie them together and add some rope style legs. The doors could stay on or be off, say in the middle for open storage.

2. I up-cycle furniture with my husband so I would find a vintage yet traditional hutch you love, not too expensive, not a family piece lol and cut the back off by however many inches you need so you at least can fit your china plate. You will also have to move the back two legs, or leave them off and attach the piece to the wall. I probably would paint it to complement whatever colors you choose for your chair covers. Here are some ideas of what i mean...but with a hutch:

How often do you open the table with both leaves? If not very often, I would place the table against a wall with the one closed leaf against the wall. I like the ideas of building a cabinet or just open shelves on that half wall. I would put a large mirror on the short wall and move the smaller picture above the other picture, if there is room.. Place a large plant in a corner and add draperies. Like the chandelier.

Yes, turn the table in the other direction so that the leaves are not facing the window then put the bench, as suggested, under the window and push the table within sitting distance. Put a huge mirror (preferably wall to wall, stopping at the molding) on the darkest wall - the one with the light switch and smaller painting. Put a small, triangular wall unit/curio in one of the corners facing the mirror and farthest from the window. Where possible, paint finishes in white.

If you do decide to go with the mirror then remove one of the paintings.

BEAUTIFUL table and chairs. I do like the idea of recovering the seats as well as putting it closet to the window with one leaf up. Those legs need to be seen!!! Good luck!!

The table is beautiful! My mom also had this table and we enjoyed many family gatherings with the table opened up. I like " gretapeters" suggestion for open shelves. Her picture also include some lovely upholstered end chairs. When looking at all the pictures I feel the chandelier takes away attention from the table, which I think is the star of your dining room.

Your room is beautiful. However the chandelier is way too modern for the table. If possible find something traditional. I cannot see the pony wall (s) but I agree that the space above is wasted. The idea of building cabinets in glass is an excellent one. It will not only free up your floor space but will give you a nice focal point. Shelves are o.k. but visually they still make the room look heavy. Ideally you need 3' from the edge of the table to a wall (or any other piece of furniture) to pull your chairs out and get in to them comfortably. Will you use an area rug under the table? You could bring some color down that goes with your newly upholstered seats. If you want upholstered chairs as host & hostess chairs that also would look nice but where will you put two of the chairs that you already have?

Good luck with your room. I know it will look lovely when you are finished

I do see the pony walls now. They don't look much wider than 18" but even that amount of space still gives you room to display your dishes. I see that you have carpeting in the dining room. Wish it was wood but you can always layer an area rug. Will you do drapes?

Turning the table 90 degrees and adding full drapes (over a larger wall area than just the width of the windows) will have visual impact and make the room appear surprisingly larger. I agree with the pro that the chandelier is too modern for the traditional style you've got going. Re-do the seat covers and keep the chairs at the table--find a beautiful table runner and decoration to focus the eye. after all this, see if you can eke out room on one of the walls for a narrow library table for serving. If not--oh well,myou tried!

I have a beautiful china closet it is about 7.5' tall, and 5' wide and just 12" deep, keep looking, I think you can find one too, or go with the suggestion of cutting the back off other types of pieces for the immediate use. Many people are using overhead cabinets as base cabinets when space is minimal. The room is nice, it deserves a nice piece against the back wall. Front the table crosswise in the room where you like it and when in use twist and turn as needed. I like the chandelier and agree with covering the seats. :)

Hmmm another suggestion as I know you were asking for a sideboard, what about a folding butler's tray or two, pull them out when needed and put away when they are not.

is your furniture Willet?

bgfuqua, I checked underneath the table and there is NO emblem anywhere indicating the manufacturer. After reading about Willet, however, I can understand why you thought it could be Willet. It certainly LOOKS like a Willet.
FYI I bought fabric and will have the seat covers changed out by this weekend.